Earlier today agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were at the Queens County Criminal Court House looking for at least one individual in the trafficking court: a special court for criminal defendants who are suspected of being trafficking victims. We also have credible reports that these same officers were also looking to make additional arrests in the main criminal court.

On January 27, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 13769, immediately suspending entry of citizens from seven Muslim majority countries. Confusion at the nation’s airports ensued, as well as wide-spread protests. At New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, thousands of protesters materialized spontaneously, joined by elected officials, volunteer lawyers and advocates providing assistance to many hastily detained immigrants and their families.

The New York Immigration Coalition joined high school student Diego Isamel Puma Macancela’s family, teachers, fellow classmates and community members Monday afternoon, in front of Federal Plaza, to call for his release after he was arrested by I.C.E. hours before his prom.

“The 2018 New York City budget is a step forward for immigrant New Yorkers with the Council and Mayor’s record investment in legal services, along with a major investment in adult literacy. Despite the Mayor’s continued denial of full due process for all immigrants at this time of unprecedented vulnerability, the Council has come through and guaranteed the right to counsel without restriction.

Last month, Donald Trump announced his nomination of Lee Francis Cissna, current director of immigration policy at the Department of Homeland Security, to lead U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.